Posts Tagged ‘
ip cameras’

Here at Security Camera King we have a variety of surveillance products that can help protect a home or business from crime. The products range from DVRs and NVRs to all the connectors that are needed to connect the cameras to the systems. Setting up a surveillance system DVR, which includes Analog, HD-CVI, and HD-SDI, tends to be easier to put together. When it comes to NVRs, they are working through a network and can be difficult if you don’t know what your doing. The biggest tough spots for this system are when connecting the system to your network, connecting your cameras to your network, and adjusting the frames and resolution of all the cameras to manage bandwidth and NVR load. IP camera systems are very advanced systems and if done properly can give the highest resolution in the industry.

Setting up an NVR has many steps before it can function properly. First things first is running cable for where you want cameras. Next is mounting cameras on a building or anywhere needed. After you have all of that done you can now properly connect your NVR to your network. You need to power up the NVR with the provided power supply and attach any necessary cable such as mouse for controlling the NVR’s interface, Power cable for built-in POE, Monitor for viewing the NVR’s interface, and lastly an ethernet cable that leads back to your router or a switch connected to your network. Now depending on how you want to manage your camera whether you want it on its own network or connected to your existing one there are different ways of accomplishing your goal. Setting up the NVR for earthier style is the same you need to assign a static IP address to your NVR so that you access it locally and remotely. The way to do this is by going to the “Main Menu” on the NVR (When doing this you will be prompted for username and password which is “888888” for both), then you need to go to “Settings”, and; “Network”. This is where you enter the IP for the NVR. By default the IP should be “192.168.1.108” and the “DHCP” should be unchecked. Now you can enter an IP address, Subnet, and Gateway of your network so that it has it’s own individual address on your network. This is all you have to do to set your NVR to your network and the next step is to start connecting your cameras to your network.

With the cameras mounted and the cable running to the destination of your choice either by your NVR or a spot in the attic/roof where your switch will be you can now start connecting your cameras to your network. Before you just plug all the cameras in at once you need to know what you want to plug them into. If you are just plugging them all into the POE built-in to the NVR then you can just plug in the cameras one by one till they show up on the NVR’s interface. This is the easiest way to connect cameras because as you plug them in, the NVR self-assigns an IP address to each camera. (This is only possible with our NVR’s and the EL Model Camera). Also when connecting your cameras this way makes the cameras only manageable by the NVR. If you are connecting your cameras to a separate switch then it requires a little more work. You have to connect the cameras in one by one just like before but before you connect another one you have to change the address for the camera. You can do this 1 of 2 ways, you can change it thought the NVR (This is only possible with our NVR’s and the EL Model Camera) or you can change it on the web interface built into the camera. The easy way is to just change it with the NVR. The way to accomplish this is after the camera and the NVR are connected to the switch, you search for the camera in the “Remote Device” section from the “Main Menu” and click edit next to the camera on the network. (Default is 192.168.1.108). After that is complete just repeat with every camera you want to connect. You can also adjust your color settings in this menu so that you don’t have to login to each camera and set it to the way you want. This can come in handy when you have a lot of cameras to manage. This is the process to connect your cameras to an NVR.

Now that the cameras are connected you need to adjust some settings on them to achieve maximum power out of you NVR. All the NVRs we sell have a certain number of frames or max bandwidth that it can handle. It’s important you know what the amount is because not all of them are the same. Once you figured out what the limit is you can adjust your cameras. To do so you need to go to the “Main Menu” on the NVR, “Settings”, and “Encode”. Here you can select the camera you want and adjust the frames and the resolution you want it to record at. You may also want to adjust the “Bit Rate” but you need to know what your doing or you can diminish your video quality. To copy this to other cameras in your NVR just adjust one camera the way you want and then click “Copy” and choose which cameras you want to copy the settings to. Under the same “Settings” menu you can adjust the schedule of when your camera records and if you want it to record 24/7, motion, alarm, or all three.

Compared to DVR’s, NVR’s are more difficult to set up. Setting up the IP for the NVR so that the NVR can be accessed locally and remotely. Connecting all the cameras to the NVR one by one assigning IP address to each camera. Lastly adjusting the cameras and NVR to get the most performance out of your NVR’s. Knowing these steps will make it easier to add an NVR for your surveillance needs

Although property crime statistics in the United States are steadily declining, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation, there is still a great need to safeguard your property. Whether you’re interested in adding security to your home or business, network security cameras continually monitor your property. While homeowners may feel security cameras are specifically made for businesses, by visually monitoring your home you not only ward off potential crimes by the sheer presence of the camera, but in the unfortunate event of theft or burglary the videos may help law enforcement identify and capture the thieves. Although there are a wide array of security cameras on the market, few offer the security and flexibility as network security cameras. If you’re in the market for security cameras, you should consider installing these items not only for their reliability, but also for the peace of mind their presence provides.

What is a Network Security Camera?

Network security cameras, also referred to as IP cameras, have the foundational purpose of traditional CCTV, or analogue, cameras; however, their method of sending and receiving data is much different. In a foundational sense, network cameras are quite similar to webcam as network cameras utilize the Internet to transmit and store recorded images. However, the similarities between webcams and network cameras end there. Network cameras are separated by two primary categories: centralized and decentralized cameras. The following are the two primary differences between these two camera setups:

Centralized Network Camera – A centralized network camera is one that requires a central NVR, or Network Video Recorder, to manage incoming recordings, video storage and alarm sounding if the cameras are attached to an audio alarm system. Commonly mistaken for a DVR, an NVR is a software program designed to record and store video from a network camera in a digital format. These digital videos are then saved to some form of digital mass storage such as a USB flash drive or an SD memory card. Although an NVR is solely software, the actual software is typically stored on a dedicated device that connects to various network cameras. The primary difference between an NVR and a DVR is an NVR receives its incoming video signals from an Internet network while a DVR receives its video signals from a direct connection to the camera. Another distinct difference between these software programs is how videos are processed and encoded. DVRs process and encode videos after they are streamed to the unit while NVRs process and encode video signals before being sent to the recording device.

Decentralized Network Cameras – A decentralized network camera is one that does not use an NVR. Rather, these cameras feature built-in video storage capabilities such as hard disk drives or flash drives. This form of storage is more streamlined, but features limitations such as not being able to store large quantities of data.

Types of Network CamerasNetwork security cameras are available in a wide array of formats and designs. However, while there are many designs there are seven primary camera types. Manufacturers may alter the features within these camera types; however, every network security camera is based in one of the following.

Outdoor Cameras – Designed specifically to be used outdoors, these network cameras feature weatherproof casings, significant temperature operation range, day and night recording as well as a tampering alarm. Typically used to monitor parking lots, campuses and traffic conditions, an outdoor network camera is ideal for areas that require 24/7 monitoring in all weather conditions.

Thermal Network Cameras – During moments of complete darkness, thermal network cameras are able to clearly capture images based on heat radiating from objects. All objects radiate a certain amount of heat, and this camera type is designed to capture the details from a heat source. The primary benefit of this camera design is its able to monitor property in complete darkness. Therefore, there’s no infrared LED lights illuminating the area. In complete darkness, onlookers are unaware they are being monitored. The downside of this camera design is its lack of detailing. While figures are clearly seen, small details typically captured by infrared security cameras are lost.

Megapixel Network Cameras – These cameras are designed to capture highly detailed images. Designed with the latest in high resolution surveillance technologies, megapixel network cameras, also referred to as HDTV cameras, can clearly record facial features or items a customer purchases.

Covert Cameras – As its name suggests, covert cameras are designed to seamlessly blend into its environment. Thus, onlookers are unaware of its presence while it continually captures their facial details and their actions. These cameras are ideal for monitoring customers in areas of a store that are unseen by wall or ceiling security cameras.

PTZ Dome Network Cameras – PTZ dome network cameras are designed to discreetly monitor a wide angle area. These cameras are housed in a dome, thus onlookers are unaware if the camera is pointing at them or not. The camera operator may manually tilt, zoom and pan while capturing high-quality video. Features typically found in these cameras include EIS, or electronic image stabilization, auto tracking and auto camera flip.

Fixed Dome Network Cameras – Like its name suggests, a fixed dome network camera does not offer lens movement. Rather, it is a fixed camera housed in a dome. The primary benefit of this camera design is its discreet design; however, the main drawback is its inability to interchange its lens. However, many fixed dome cameras offer a varifocal lens, which allows the field of view to be manually changed by an operator.

Fixed Network Camera – This camera design is perhaps the most common. Implemented to be visible to onlookers, a fixed camera cannot pan or rotate as its field of view is static. However, many fixed network cameras allow operators to change its lens. For example, a single fixed camera may be adjusted to house a wide-angle, telephoto or normal lens. Some camera designs are outfitted with a varifocal lens to adjust its field of view.

As stated earlier, these are simply the most common foundational designs. Each of the aforementioned is available in a wide array of configurations. To determine the best network security camera for your property, research available options and features. Remember, every property features unique monitoring challenges and the goal of a security camera system is to overcome these challenges for adequate monitoring.

Analog Resolution vs. Network Camera Resolution

Many property owners who are interested in security camera systems desire to have cameras with high video resolutions. The reason behind this is the higher the resolution the better the image quality. Cameras with low screen resolutions may capture the happenings of an area, yet if the images are blurry or fuzzy, these cameras do little to actually assist law enforcement in the apprehension of a criminal. Within the realm of security cameras, a major question is, “What is the resolution difference between traditional analog cameras and network cameras?” The recordable resolution of security cameras is dependent on the restrictions of the actual recording device such as a DVR for analog cameras or NVR for network cameras. With analog cameras, the DVR is restricted to a maximum resolution of 720 x 480 pixels. However, network cameras offer a wide array of resolutions. For example, many NVR programs support 5 megapixel, or higher, screen resolutions. This results in a video resolution of 2,592 x 1,944 pixels. Therefore, if image quality is paramount in your decision making process, network security cameras are your only option. Review various NVR programs, as some software programs may feature resolution limitations.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Network Security Cameras

As with any other form of security cameras, network security cameras feature benefits and drawbacks. Before making a purchasing decision, it is imperative you review the benefits and drawbacks to determine if the financial commitment of network cameras is worth the benefits you’ll receive.

Benefits

Installation Flexibility – Perhaps the most notable benefit of network cameras is its installation flexibility. Unlike analog security cameras, network cameras are able to be installed anywhere on a property where there is an IP network. This is not limited to Ethernet cable only networks. Many network cameras are able to operate and transmit signals through a wireless Internet signal.

Encryption – Securing the images of a camera is just as important as having a security system in your business or home. Network security cameras offer two layers of data safeguarding. Firstly, video images are encrypted before ever being transmitted to the NVR. Secondly, videos are automatically encrypted and authenticated through encryption languages such as WEP, AES, WPA and TKIP.

PoE Connectivity – Network security cameras do not need to be plugged directly into a power source. Rather, these cameras may operate by connecting the camera to a PoE, or Power over Ethernet, protocol. This system powers the cameras trough the Ethernet cable instead of through a traditional power source.

Disadvantages

Cost – If cost is an issue, then network security cameras may not be the ideal surveillance solution for you. Typically, network cameras require a higher upfront cost than analog security cameras. However, this disadvantage may quickly disappear as the use of network cameras increases. The increase in demand will likely lower the cost of these camera systems.

Video Interception – Although not very common, video signals may be intercepted if network cameras are connected through an unsecured wireless network. This raises the security threat as criminals could potentially access video streams and monitor the security environment of a business or home. This undermines the effectiveness of the cameras and actually facilitates a crime. Avoid this scenario by never connecting network cameras through a public, or unsecured, wireless signal.

While it may seem that the benefits of network security cameras far outweigh its drawbacks, it is important potential buyers seriously weight both the pros and cons before making a decision.

An IP camera is an Internet protocol camera that is essentially a digital video cameras that is commonly used for surveillance purposes. Unlike the closed circuit television cameras, they are actually able to send and receive information through the Internet and a computer network. Although the majority of cameras that are able to do this are considered webcams, the term IP camera is actually only applied to those types of cameras that are used for surveillance purposes.

IP is actually just an easy way to say a digital camera that is equipped with a direct connection to the network. Some of the older models were able to convert the information to a digital system through the use of a digital video recorder. A real IP surveillance camera is going to be based strictly though digital technology. The IP portion of the camera is what allows it to access the Internet without the requirement of additional hardware.

There are a lot of great manufacturers that are able to create some of the extremely high tech IP cameras that are used for surveillance. The one main problem that a lot of people have is that there are pieces of equipment that are going to require you to be near a qualified engineer to be able to run and install it. However, there is a lot of the extremely fine equipment that will not require the installation of a technician, so just pay attention when you are looking through the options. You really need to have a decent amount of knowledge to know what you are doing to be able to enjoy your new system and get the most out of it that you can.

There are a lot of normal everyday individuals who are not going to have the knowledge necessary to be able to get the most out of all of their features in whatever they choose to buy. You want to make sure that you are getting the absolute most out of every feature that your new IP camera has to offer. Are you technically savvy? Do you understand everything there is to know about surveillance equipment? Are you familiar with what DNS and FTP represent?

IP camera

If you decide that you are going to need more information about the internal workings of an IP camera, you should still choose one that is going to work for you and enlist the assistance of a specialist. You just need someone who is a technical specialist to help you along the way and make sure you understand everything your new system has to offer. It needs to be completed correctly or else you are going to end up with more problems than what it is worth. There are plenty of professionals who are ready to assist you in any way possible.

You may want to consider getting an IP surveillance camera that will adjust the focus based on the lighting conditions. Having a sensor that will automatically adjust the sensitivity will eliminate the need for constantly having to adjust the camera yourself. Otherwise, if you set your camera to an indoor setting, everything will be fine if the lighting is great, but what happens when it gets dark inside? You are going to have to continually adjust the settings all the time, so to prevent the hassle just choose an IP camera that will do it all for you.

One of the great features that you will enjoy is that of the motion detector. You will be able to have the IP surveillance camera send you an e-mail with every image that it takes whenever it detects movement. If the kids are coming home from school, you will know exactly when they get there thanks to your new camera. If someone is heading into the baby’s bedroom, you will know who it is and when within minutes. Do you have any pets in the home that have health problems and need constant attention? You will be able to see them around the clock from wherever you are. There will no longer be the stress of wondering what is going on anymore because you will have the convenience you are looking for in your new IP camera. You will have what you need all of the time.

Motion Detector

The motion detector feature on the IP camera will allow you to have the image e-mailed to you, while some of the cameras will be able to send you an e-mail with multiple images of various individuals all at once. It can be a truly excellent feature, as well as saving you time and money along the way.

Maybe you are searching for a camera that will take all of the images and upload them onto an FTP server so you can view them later. No problem, the choice is yours and yours alone. There are a lot of IP surveillance cameras that will allow you the ability to be in a remote location while accessing your camera and its movement. You can even select to have infra-red LED’s that will allow your camera to be able to see in the dark.

IP surveillance cameras are perfect for someone who is looking to monitor a pet or baby. The vast majority of them are more than adequate for general surveillance issues. There is always the possibility that you are going to need a camera that is able to withstand the weather. Just make sure that you choose an all weather camera to fit all of your needs into one convenient package. Optical zoom can be a crucial feature on your new camera, so make sure you choose all of the features that you are going to use for the long run. Facial detection at long range can be critical when catching a criminal in the act.

The image quality you are going to get from your IP camera is far superior to what you are going to get from a standard security system. You will not have to worry about the conversion of analog to digital because you are the end user. These cameras are moving quickly into replacing the standard CCTV cameras.

Do you already have a security system installed in your home? You can always add on to it with an IP camera in no time at all. There is no need to worry about installing any expensive hardware or any new digital video recorders. It has never been easier than it is right now with your new IP camera and all of the benefits and features associated with it.

You can literally connect your IP camera to almost anywhere you choose, such as through your local network, wirelessly or through satellite. They are not restricted to being tied into a physical input or a digital video recorder. You are in control of where you want your new system to be located. The same concept applies to the server in that it can go wherever you want it to without the needs of worrying about the need for additional cables.

Thanks to Internet related technological advancements including 3G and 4G cellular phones, there are several benefits of IP (Internet Protocol) video systems. In this article we’ll explain what an IP video system is, how it works, and the benefits of using this method of digital video security and surveillance.

What is it?

Before we talk about how it works or the benefits of IP video systems, we need to define what it is. Most digital video systems transmit their digital video and sound using a coaxial cable usually RG59. However an IP video system uses the Internet as the primary source for networking. IP video systems normally come with their own web server technology so that they may be plugged in to CAT5E Ethernet cable and using a broadband cable connection can immediately begin broadcasting over the Internet.

As mentioned in the first paragraph IP stands for Internet protocol. This is a specific type of computer language that is compatible for use on the Internet.

In addition to Ethernet cable some IP video systems are wireless and utilize WiFi or some other type of wireless transmission between the camera and the Internet. This is easily done because each camera is constructed with the circuitry and programming so that it may be used on the Internet.

This has many beneficial and powerful implications. Once the camera is connected to the Internet it can be monitored from anywhere in the world that there is broadband Internet Service and this includes 3G and 4G cell phones as well.

How does it work?

IP video cameras are no different than regular non-IP cameras with the exception of the Internet related hardware/software. The camera creates video images just like its non-IP counterpart with the difference occurring at the time just before the image’s data leaves the computer.

The IP video camera usually has on-board circuitry or perhaps software programming that not only permits transmission via the Internet, but it also contains circuitry for creating CODECs. CODEC stands for COmpression/DECompression. It is a specific method for preparing the video computer files. It reduces the size of the file tremendously while still maintaining high quality.

A digital video camera is nothing more than a digital still camera that takes rapid pictures in succession. The average rate of picture creation is 30 pictures or frames per second or 30 fps. Let’s say the file for one picture is 1 MB in size. That means that for one hour of recording without a CODEC you would need:

1MB x 30fps x 60 seconds x 60 minutes = 108,000 MB or 108000/1000 = 108 Gigabytes. With a codec this amount can be reduced tremendously. Currently, most IP cameras use the latest and most efficient CODEC called H.264 to create a streaming file for the Web while at the same time producing another file in MJPEG format that will be sent to the DVR for recording.

First and foremost is accessibility. Thanks to the Internet, 3G and 4G cellular phones and other similar devices you can monitor and control a camera in Dallas, Texas while sitting in the Tokyo, Japan airport. As long as there is some sort of broad band Internet service and an Internet browser to access the Internet with, you can monitor your system from just about anywhere in the world.

Another benefit of IP video systems is coordinated placement of several cameras in different locations all tied together in one location with a Network Video Recorder (NVR). In other words you can have 4 IP cameras geographically separated by vast distances but can all be monitored in one spot using an NVR. (If you live in a city and own several convenience stores for example, you could put a camera in each and monitor all of them at once from home.)

Extremely high resolution (or definition if you prefer) video images up to 3 megapixels

Audio can be monitored in the same way as the cameras

IP cameras typically use CAT5E Ethernet cable. Generally speaking, this cable is easier to pull, and can carry a signal with less degradation and further in length.

Although an NVR is ideal, you can use a personal computer to save files instead.

There are many more benefits of IP video systems; these are just a few of the common ones. If you want to learn more about security camera systems, contactSecurity Camera King today!

There are lots of ways to network a digital video security and surveillance camera system. Thanks to the digital age and the advancements of computer and Internet technology the Internet can be used as a medium for networking, allowing the user to have global access. This is just one of the functions of Internet Protocol or IP security camera software.

IP security camera software may come with a variety of different functions. For example its primary purpose may be just to make the camera IP ready so that it can transmit its video images over the Internet to the user. These cameras are often called IP ready security cameras and it allows the user to place a camera just about anywhere there is access to broadband Internet. The camera then transmits its videos over the Internet to a personal computer that has the IP security camera software installed.

This software contains the programming needed to communicate with the IP digital camera. It normally runs as an active x function on Windows’ Internet Explorer and other browsers so the user can monitor his/her camera simply by using a compatible browser. If the camera is a Pan-Tilt-Zoom or PTZ camera, the IP security camera software may even provide the necessary programming so that the user can operate the controls to the PTZ via the Browser.

Another type of IP security camera software uses the Internet as the vehicle for networking among IP cameras. In other words, instead of the camera using RG-59 coaxial cable or other wiring to send its video images to the Digital Video Recorder or DVR, the camera simply plugs into a broadband Internet connection and once connected, uses the Internet to send its video image data to a Network Video Recorder or NVR.

The NVR acts pretty much like a typical DVR however it is made for networking cameras and storing their video images via the Internet. Some NVRs require that a certain type or brand of camera be used and some NVRs also restrict the use of the NVR and IP cameras to one physical location. The NVR coordinates the IP system, including the cameras, file storage, and playback.

So why use IP cameras and IP security camera software? In this age of global communication, many workers perform a great deal of traveling. Using and IP camera with IP security camera software, it’s possible to monitor your IP cameras in Maine while you are in Hawaii. You can also often gain access to the cameras using smartphones and a special type of IP security camera software designed specifically for smartphones called an “application” or just simply put, “an app.”

Another example for using IP camera systems is that you may have cameras located in totally different geographical areas. However, you may want to record these cameras from a totally different location (a home office for example). Perhaps you own 2 or 3 convenient stores in your area and want to be able to monitor them from your home office. You simply connect the IP camera to the Internet, set up your NVR, and you can monitor all three locations at once from a totally different location than any of your cameras (home office for example).

These are just some of the ways that an IP camera system can be used. If you prefer to take advantage of professional full time monitoring of your cameras IP camera software can also make it possible for the monitoring company to see each of your cameras.

Usually, IP security camera software is provided by the camera manufacturer or the NVR manufacturer so you seldom ever need to purchase the software separately. Security Camera King has another type of IP security camera software called a Mobile Video Server and in comes in 4, 8, and 16 channel capability.

This software allows the user to embed a live stream of one or more cameras on a web page. This means that any Web browser that can play streaming video will be able to view the cameras. Of course smartphones, PDA’s, and the like will be able to view them too.

Most IP security cameras use CODECs (COmpression/DECompression) software in tandem with the DVR to shrink the size of the incredibly large digital video file while maintaining quality. For example, many IP security cameras send MJPEG to the NVR for recording and use H.264 for streaming to the Internet.